We did not define our interest in purely material terms. We lived in a conviction that there was more to the world than matter and possessions made of matter. The “modern” world, lead by the industrial revolution and technology, has allowed us to have a large separation of thinking and feeling, especially in this country.

Without more evolved consciousness – motivation to change will come through catastrophes and crises. We have forgotten our connections. We are like islands in the sea – separate on the surface but connected in the deep of the oceans.

Some definitions to keep in mind.

Consciousness – a state of awakening – awakened doing

Akasha – the element that connects all things. Also called Ether in Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy. Believed to be the most fundamental of the five elements (air, water, fire, earth, and ether) and the one out of which the other elements arose.

Akashic Consciousness – recognizes connection to each other and to the cosmos. It conveys a sense of belonging, ultimately of oneness.

Syntony – fine tuned – 3 levels: Personal – cultivates intuition and compassion, insight that matches outsight with a willingness to explore and follow our deepest calling.

Interpersonal – involves dialogue and collaboration with people around you, coming together to learn with and from each other and engaging in joint action with empathy, considerateness, openness, and joy. This will be the level we focus on the most.

Transpersonal – learning to listen to the messages of all beings, whether they are waterfalls, animals, mountains, or galaxies, and feeling and acknowledging your oneness with all things in the cosmos.

Syntony involves an embodiment and manifestation of conscious evolution:

Conscious intention aligned to evolutionary purpose = evolutionary consonant pathways of human development in partnership with Earth.

Respect the basic values of life in the community. This means concern with people’s access to adequate supplies of food, water, shelter, and clothing. It means concern with stable relations in family and community. It means regard for the social and cultural identity and economic equity of all the people who share the community. And it means concern with the availability of useful and remunerated employment for everyone who can and is will to work.

Use criteria of sustainability in the allocation of natural and financial resources

Ensure access to energy, water and land to all people at acceptable cost

Increase the quality and capacity of the public transportation systems

Promote cooperation with business companies in the use of alternative energy and resource technology.

Channel funds and provide incentives for the revitalization of derelict areas

Employ strict criteria of sustainability and energy and resource efficiency in licensing new construction

Bring social and ecological responsibility considerations into the system of public education

Open to Page one – What is Green? What is Sustainability? If you think that you already know the answer to this, feel free to go ahead and break out that first favorite color crayon. Basically, you are coloring the earth, the water on the earth, and the atmosphere that surrounds the earth. If we don’t learn how to take better care of our planet, our beautiful blues and browns and greens that we are using to color our picture will just be all browns and grays. We will need a new brown crayon. Way big picture.

Going green and being sustainable are just ways that humans need to figure out how to keep the earth healthy. How to manage its resources, both natural – ie, earth, air, and water – and living – humans, plants, animals – while adding the resource of economics to the picture. As much as I love living in a polyanna world, economics – money – is still a very valid part of that world. The good news is that it now makes economic sense to become a “green” consumer.

Page two - Let’s start with the light bulb. Get out that white crayon, and start coloring in that swirl. Yes, a swirly bulb is the shape we need to adapt to, no longer the pear. Start by changing a few light bulbs. It is one of the best things you can do for the environment—and your budget. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and they last up to 10 times longer. Compact fluorescent light bulbs also generate 70 percent less heat, so they are safer to operate and can also reduce energy costs associated with cooling homes and offices. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are actually beneficial to the environment. If every home replaced one bulb with a CFL, it would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the road. Replacing standard bulbs in areas where lights are used frequently and left on for a long time, such as family rooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and porches, is a good place to start. So, now it’s on your “to do list”. Change out light bulbs and give the swirly guy a try.

Congratulations, you have just finished your first two pages in your coloring book. You have managed to not only stay in the lines and drawn what is truly one of the easiest things that you can do to “go green”, you have hopefully learned the bigger picture of that decision – keeping the color in your planet.

Now your homework assignment. As you are changing out that one or dozen light bulbs, be thinking about what you want to learn next. Email us – we may not know the answer, but we can spend our “spare time” seeing if it is in the coloring book and if we have the right color crayons. This is about all of us learning and engaging.

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